Your breathing is affected by your thoughts, and your thoughts and physiology are influenced by your breath. For example, when your mind is calm, your breathing is deep and rhythmic, and your body engages in its natural self-repair mechanisms. On the other hand, when your mind is caught up in fearful thoughts, your breath may speed up and become shallow, while your body increases the production of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenalin. When you’re feeling anxious, if you focus on taking a few deep, slow breaths, you will feel your body relax and it will be easier to shift your thoughts from fear-inducing scenarios to more positive expectations.

Conscious breathing is one way to integrate your mind-body-soul. With regular practice, it will help you cultivate a clear, peaceful mind and a vibrant, healthy body. There is a growing body of scientific research documenting the benefits of practicing conscious deep breathing on a regular basis, including:

As you begin, always remember to move through the exercises slowly and mindfully. I invite you to begin right now by taking a deep breath, feeling your lungs fill with air and exhaling in gratitude. Your life begins with an inhalation, and you will take about half a billion breaths before your final exhalation. Most of the time, you probably aren’t aware of your breath, yet it sustains you at the core, reaching every cell in your body.